An understanding forged through a dialogue with residents of PKNS low-cost houses in Kampung Baru Semenyih has resulted in the signing of a landmark agreement for the maintenance of the residents' communal septic tank (CST) for the next three years.
A CST is a collection unit for sewage discharged through a network of pipes connecting each home in a residential area. It is usually located at the end lot of a row of houses.
The dialogue organised by National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) was partly to create awareness of the importance of proper maintenance of a septic tank.
The residents had contacted IWK to investigate problems with their CST, and later learnt that tank was almosy full with sludge, while a damaged outlet pipe had caused a blockage.
IWK agreed to repair the pipe as a goodwill gesture and as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
A CST has to be de-sludged periodically to avoid overflow or backflow, which can adversely affect the environment and water sources.
This act of maintenance can be taken care of by hiring a licensed sewerage contractor such as IWK.
It is also the owners' duty to repair or replace a CST when necessary.
A few days after the agreement was signed, an IWK sludge tanker pulled up at Kampung Baru Semenyih to de-sludge the CST, witnessed by the residents and SPAN and IWK officers.
Currently, there are 3,632 CSTs in the country. The figure does not include privately-owned ones.
Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655), Section 62 states: "A septic tank which services more than one premises shall be deemed to be the joint responsibility of the owners or occupiers of those premises irrespective of the location of the septic tank. Each of the owners or occupiers shall be liable to pay charges for sewerage services as if they were the owners of individual septic tanks."
A month ago, SPAN had organised a similar dialogue with Petaling Jaya residents after receiving a stream of complaints regarding the maintenance of their CST.
The residents there were also informed of their responsibility towards their CST, which should be de-sludged at least once every three years on a shared-cost basis.
SPAN chief executive officer, Datuk Teo Yen Hua said the signing of the agreement signified the CST owners' growing understanding of the need to have it adequately maintained and its sludge properly disposed of.
"Appropriate action as accorded by the law can be taken against those found to have neglected the maintenance of their CST.
"Ultimately this is to protect the environment and our sources of water as well as the overall hygiene of the area concerned."
"If a CST has not been de-sludged for the past three years, it is time it is done as it has been three years since WSIA 2006 came into effect," said Teo.
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